[JKWON33]

With no bias whatsoever, I'd have to go with Jim Matney and the Johnson Central Golden Eagles. JCHS played a very tough 4A schedule this past season after playing 3A in 2003. They beat several really good ball clubs and would have probably won their district if Shawn Music doesn't go down with a broken arm. Without Music, the Eagles still almost defeated Madison Central, who made it to the State Semi's, but lost by less than a TD if I remember correctly. Matney is one of the BEST coaches in the mountains and he proved that by turning a lack luster club into a regional powerhouse in one year.

Pikeville on the other hand was a good club last season. Their trip to the state semi's was remarkable, but they should have been defeated by Williamsburg in the regional championship. That comeback, helped by Shurtlefs grab in the endzone near regulation, showed that the Panthers never quit. They did impress me in the Pburg game, but rumor has it several Pburg players were playing hurt and their QB had something wrong with him. Coach Mac makes the Panthers tough year in and year out, but compared to other Panther squads in the past, Piikeville wasn't as good as a few of them.